A Touch of Glamour

Hey Loves! It feels like it has been forever since we've spent some time together, how are you?! I’m doing very well, it feels good to be back!!! Did you miss me?!  I missed you! I won't keep you in suspense; I've been away a few weeks on holiday, in AFRICA!!!! It was the trip of a lifetime; You may have seen a few snippets of it over on my Instagram page. Let me tell you,I took in every single moment- rather than attempt to capture every moment on film-I lived it- I breathed it! It was magnificent!!! Now I am completely refreshed and ready to play… dress up that is! Ha!

Today's style story features my December picks from Kevin Jewelers, a beautiful 14K rose gold and diamond duo. I really like the design, the combination of champagne and white diamonds together <3 
You can save an additional 10% off when shopping online with code JOI564.

REMINDER: Don't miss out on KJs Diamonds, Deals, and Destinations promotion!!! In short, if you spend $299 or more you score a FREE trip to VEGAS; if you spend $2,999 or more you score a FREE trip to HAWAII! 
Please note that this deal is applicable IN-STORE ONLY. Visit your closest store for additional details.  

Now, let’s chat about what I am wearing =) I’ve been dying to pull out this vintage coat scored from a thrift shop in my home state of Michigan last year. Winter-ish temperatures have finally made a stop in Southern California – I feel so excited! For the grand debut, I paired my newbie with this fabulous after 5 style maxi dress. The material of the dress is thin and it does not have a lining- the added warmth from my furbaby was essential! Truth be told, I almost froze to death while trying to get in a few shots w/o my topper, LOL! It is hard to believe that I grew up in waist deep snow!  Any who, I couldn’t miss out on showing you the detail of this beautiful dress, it is so complimentary on generous curves ;) I sized up to allow for the dress to drape in the manner that I desire, but it you prefer a bodycon fit I'd say it is pretty true to size.

Until next time Loves,

XO

Fur coat: Vintage, Similar here| Jewelry: c/o Kevin Jewelers| Dress: c/o GCGME| Sandals: Similar here| Beaded handbag: Old

Cage Me Up

Bell sleeves are high in demand this season. To be honest, I overflowed with excitement at the prospect of adding a few belled lovelies into my collection. Every store I perused, there they were, enticing me, begging to come home with me-LOL! Seriously, the variety of styles currently available is unmatched! From high fashion to fast fashion, from wool to cotton, in tiers, and or embellished – the list really goes on and on.

For my first acquisition of the hot commodity, I finally settled on this  plus size caged body con dress. The exaggerated trumpet sleeves won me over! For a night out, I styled it with a faux fur vest- yet another winner from ELVI :) I especially love the knit detail on the back of the woollen vest, isn't it stylish?! The neutral color palette matched up so very well together, and the added fuzzy layer was extremely practical for chilly night air.

Purple lipstick: Here| Vest: c/o ELVI| Diamond Heart Shaped Earrings: c/o Kevin Jewelers (similar here)| Dress: Here| Shoes: Nine West, older

Since my sleeves were clearly doing all of the work, I opted for a minimal approach with accessories and finished off the look with a pair of diamond heart earrings from Kevin Jewelers. They feature ‘dancing’diamonds :) There are pins in place to support a hanging diamond in the middle of the hearts! The hanging diamond stays in motion and appears to twinkle from every direction, so glamorous <3

I mentioned previously that I am working with Kevin Jewelers as an Influencer. An absolute perk of this partnership is visiting a store each month and getting the inside scoop on upcoming deals and sales! You’ll be happy to know that there are a number of good things on tap this month! For instance, right now there is a destination deal called “Diamonds, Deals, and Destinations”. To put it simply:

• With a purchase of $299, you get a FREE trip to Vegas!
• With a purchase of $2,499, you get a FREE trip to Hawaii!
• Use promo code "KJLANovember" during November for 10% all in-store purchases

I don’t know about you, but freebies like that are right up my alley! Head on over to Kevin Jewelers, pick out your bling + a getaway!

Until next time,

XO

Sweaters & Skirts Like XO

It’s that time again, I’m back with the Babes of #UnitedlyPlus and this time our style theme is Sweaters x Skirts. I really appreciate collaborating with other bloggers because it constantly encourages me to style pieces in new ways and to think outside of my style box! Please be sure to check out Sheena of I Am She Global & Sahily of Pretty In Pigment  :) Initially I had an idea in mind based on a colorful look that I recently wore to the office, but when I added a sweater to the mix- I didn’t like it like at all. Don’t get me wrong, the sweater matched, but the entire look pulled together just wasn’t “me”. Has that ever happened to you? Sometimes the way things look in my head are entirely different than how they look when all is said & done! LOL!

I previously decided that I would shop my own closet for this look- and so the search into my wardrobe unleashed. Next up came an idea to wear my latest favorite pair of sandals =) Aren’t they the cutest?! I went through hoops to get these, as the store that I initially spotted them in didn’t have my size (I shared portions of this harrowing experience on my Instagram Stories)….Any who, the hassle was so worth it, as they are as comfy as they are stylish!!! That is a WIN + WIN!!!

I knew that I had a silk skirt that was a very close match in color, so I added it to my pile of ideas. This skirt has been with me since 2004, and although it was pricey for me at the time, the investment was well worth it. Would you believe me if I told you that this skirt initially had perfect pleats? Well it did, but one bad trip to the cleaners and the pleats were gone forever. Initially I hated it, so the cleaners reimbursed me the cost of the skirt, at its original price! I decided to keep the skirt anyway, and eventually it grew on me again- thus I added it back to the rotation. Now that I really think about it, it was free, wasn’t it?!

Next up I needed to decide on which sweater to wear, I tried on a few, but this embellished beauty won out. I think I purchased it two years ago, yet I have never worn it- all tags were still intact =) I love it when that happens, it almost feels like a surprise gift to myself, LOL! Since both my sweater and shoes are stellar statement pieces, I opted for classic simplicity with my jewelry. Both my diamond stud earrings and “Journey” pendant are c/o Kevin Jewelers. I’ve mentioned before that I am working with them as a Brand Influencer, and having a ball! 

Now on to the specifics: These certified  ½ carat VS2 diamond stud earrings are elegance personified, encased in 14K white gold. If I had to choose just one of the two pieces, the “Journey” pendant is my favorite. Notice how the diamonds graduate in size? Be still my heart! Both pieces are available during this month’s “Clear the Case” sale, and are a whopping 65% off!!! Head on over to your local KJ and check out the deals available online!
*This just In: Kevin Jewelers is proud to support Breast Cancer Awareness month! For the entire month of October Kevin Jewelers will donate 10% of proceeds to The Breast Cancer Fundraiser for several items, including a diamond tennis bracelet and a diamond halo pendant ;)

Until next time,
XO

Sunnies: ALDO| Earrings + pendant (DPANY00056/1622658): c/o Kevin Jewelers (learn more here) 

Sweater: Halogen, Nordstrom Rack (available here)| Skirt: Old, worn here| Handbag: Kate Spade| Shoes: Steve Madden

Confidant Material

Dress: c/o Single Dress Plus | Bracelet: J. Crew| Citron legwarmers: American Apparel| Citron shoes: ASOS

Summer is in, shoulders are out! Although Fall is just days away here in the States, temperatures have been soaring in a number of areas. Is it hot in your neck of the woods? I didn’t have an opportunity to rock this gorgeous blue dress until now, so I seized the moment over the weekend while temperatures were mega warm. 
Looking back on my last few posts, clearly I am most definitely in a Fall state of mind (see here, here, and here), so I styled this dress with blinding citron colored legwarmers (perfect for FALL) and matching citron tie-up heels. Bold standout color is “in” all year round for this chick! Actually, come to think of it, I need to create more opportunities to wear these beauties (see the last time I wore them here). Come on, how often do we see citron colored legwarmers?! So fab, fun, and functional :) 

Fall in Love
I also had a chance to stop by Kevin Jewelers over the weekend (read more here about my role with them as a Brand Influencer) and wouldn't you know, they are running a great sale for the entire month of September: All wedding bands are buy one get free!!!

Yes, Fall in Love and shop YOUR bridal set at Kevin Jewelers!!! 
I had too much fun trying on rings, which actually provided me with inspiration of additional ideas for upgrading my own wedding ring ;) 

Until next time Loves,
XO